Midnight Sun | Evening Whale Watching

Witness the whales, dolphins, porpoises and seabirds of Faxaflói Bay in the most exciting way possible: beneath the Midnight Sun. This tour from Reykjavík should not be missed by those who love wildlife and nature.

You will start this nighttime adventure at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, where your whale watch boat will be awaiting you. You will board, but if you are early, can explore a floating museum first, which is home to several interactive exhibitions on the great creatures of Iceland’s seas.

As soon as you set out, you will get fantastic views of the city and the surrounding nature; you will see Mount Esja, the Reykjanes Peninsula and the Whale Fjord, Hvalfjörður. In very clear weather, you’ll also be able to see all the way to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. While all of these sites are beautiful throughout the year, they are even more special when beneath the midnight sun, which paints the sky vivid oranges and pinks.

Faxaflói Bay has a wealth of life, which peaks in the summer. Both Humpback and Minke Whales use the waters as feeding grounds, and White-Beaked Dolphins and Harbour Porpoises are year-round residents. Puffins bob on the surface of the water, amongst many other species of seabird, while Basking Sharks are, on occasion, seen cruising beneath.

You’ll spend three hours marvelling over this spectacular wealth of wildlife. Even in summer, it can get a little chilly on the seas, but worry not. You can borrow overalls, there is an indoor saloon, and a cafe at which you can warm up with a hot drink or an alcoholic one.

If, by any chance, you don’t see a whale or dolphin, you will be able to join another whale-watch for free until you do.

Marvel over the animals of Faxaflói Bay, under the midnight sun. Check availability by choosing a date.

Quick facts

Tour information:

Available: Jun. - Aug.

Duration:
3 hours

Activities:
Whale Watching, Boat Trip

Difficulty:
Easy

Languages:
English

Highlights:

South Iceland is the most popular part of the country amongst travellers and contains some of Iceland’s most beautiful natural attractions.

The south of Iceland can be roughly split into two areas, the lowlands in the west, and the east.

The South Icelandic lowlands

The South Icelandic lowlands stretch nearly 100 kilometres (over sixty miles) from Hellisheiði in the west to Eyjafjallajökull in the east. This region is flat and fertile farming land, and home to many Icelandic horses and sheep.

The whole area is geologically very young, formed during the last Ice Age by the lava flows from numerous volcanoes in the area. The lowlands are surrounded by volcanically active mountains, notably the aforementioned Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla.

The most notable features of the South Icelandic lowlands are the three on the Golden Circle, the country’s most popular sightseeing route.

The fissures and lava landscapes of this latter feature reveal the extent to which earthquakes and eruptions have shaped the region. The area is still very active; take, for example, the 1975 eruption in the Westman Islands that nearly destroyed the town and formed a new island.

It should be noted that Þingvellir is not just a site of natural, geological wonder. It was also the original site of the parliament Icelanders formed in 930 AD. This was a convenient place, considering the fertile lands of south Iceland meant that many settlers populated it.

Unlike most early Icelandic settlements, few of the communities formed in the south were based off fishing. The only town with a significant harbour in the south is Þorlákshöfn, where the ferry to the Westman Islands leaves.

In terms of culture in the lowlands, it was once home to the ancient bishop seat of Skálholt. Also, Iceland's most famous saga, Njal's Saga, takes place in the region.

For sports, horse riding is popular, as is fishing for salmon and trout, hiking, snorkelling, sightseeing and river rafting.

Eastern South Iceland.

The areas south and east of Mýrdalsjökull, the glacier that covers the volcano Katla, are considered the eastern part of south Iceland. Glaciers, volcanoes and the Highlands dominate the view.

This landscape has also been shaped by volcanic eruptions, although these were much more recent, and thus the area looks dramatically different. Vast expanses of black sand stretch from the Highlands to the sea, part of several glacial outwash plains that flood during a volcanic eruption.

Some agriculture is found here, with farms nestled in the mountains, but because of the glacial floods, they are few and far between.

A few large glacial rivers flow through this area, creating incredible features such as Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. These are hardly the only sites in this part of the south worth seeing, however.

Sólheimajokull is a beautiful outlet glacier, a tongue of the greater Mýrdalsjökull, that you can hike on so long as you are with a guide. Skógar has a very interesting museum that discusses national traditions during Iceland’s development. One of Iceland’s most famous hiking routes, Fímmvörðuháls, cuts through the area.

Southwest of the village of Vík is one of Iceland’s most spectacular beaches, Reynisfjara. Near the promontory of Dýrholaey, and boasting incredible views of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, it is a marvellous stretch of black sand.

West Iceland is home to the country’s capital city, Reykjavík, and an array of impressive natural sites. These include Europe's most powerful hot spring, Iceland's most significant lava tube, fascinating glaciers, beautiful waterfalls important historical sites and more. It has three main districts outside of the capital area: Borgarfjörður, the Snӕfellsnes Peninsula, and Breiðafjörður.

Though also in the west, the Westfjords and Reykjanes Peninsula are considered to be in separate regions.

The Capital Area

Iceland’s capital city is Reykjavík, a settlement of 120,000 people (over 200,000 in the Greater Reykjavík Area) that was founded in 870 AD by Ingólfur Arnarson; this makes it the country’s oldest inhabited area.

It is a hot spot of culture, with festivals such as Sónar, Airwaves and Secret Solstice, events such as Pride and Culture Nights, and countless museums and galleries. The city is also renowned for its vibrant live music, cabaret and drag scenes, its street art, many sculptures, and its delicious cuisine.

Reykjavík is where most visitors base themselves and the point from which most tour leaves. There is a comprehensive guide to Reykjavík on this site.

Borgarfjörður

Borgarfjörður is the fjord north of Reykjavík, within which is a wealth of beautiful historical and natural sites. Reykholt, for example, is a tiny village where medieval historian and poet Snorri Sturluson, author of Snorra-Edda and Heimskringla, once lived. Borgarnes, the main village of Borgarfjörður, is one of Iceland’s earliest towns, and home to the fascinating Settlement Centre.

In terms of nature, Borgarfjörður is home to the second highest waterfall in the country, Glymur. Other beautiful waterfalls include the magical and peaceful Hraunfossar and the raging rapids of Barnafoss which lie only a stone's throw apart. The area is also home to the longest lava cave in the country, Viðgelmir, the highest flowing hot spring in Europe, Deildartunghver, and just inland is Iceland’s second biggest glacier, Langjökull.

Snӕfellsnes

The Snӕfellsnes peninsula is a marvellous stretch of land in west Iceland. It is home to a unique mountain ridge with the majestic Snӕfellsjokull glacier and National Park at its westernmost point.

The region is often called Iceland in miniature due to its diverse sites, which include beautiful mountains such as Kirkjufell, geological wonders such as the Gerðuberg cliffs, and coastal formations such as Lóndrangar rock pinnacles.

Breiðafjörður

Breiðafjörður is the fjord that separates the Westfjords from the Snӕfellsnes Peninsula. It is a natural reserve with countless small islands and home to thousands of birds, including puffins.

The inner part of Breiðafjörður is the old farm site Eiriksstadir, the home of Eric the Red, the first European to land in Greenland, in the year 984 AD. His son was Leif Ericsson, the first European to land in America, in the year 1000.

Faxafloi is a large bay in the southwest of Iceland, located between the peninsulas Snaefellsnes (to the north) peninsula and Reykjanes (to the south).

The main fjords of the bay are Borgarfjordur, Hvalfjordur, Kollafjordur and Hafnarfjordur. Some of Iceland's largest towns are located by the bay and Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, lies on its southeastern shore.

Faxafloi bay is popular for whale- and birdwatching, sea angling and has great fishing grounds. In Kollafjordur is Videy Island, featuring the Lennon/One Peacetower, Richard Scerra's 'Milestones' and other attractions, along with great birdlife. The mountain ring seen from the bay, among which Snaefellsjokull glacier may be spotted on clear days, is particularly beautiful.

Please be at your pickup location in time for your departure. Should your pickup location be at a bus stop and you need assistance finding it, seek guidance in your Hotel's reception or contact your tour provider directly.

Heiða Berglind Fannarsdóttir

Sara Sigmundsdóttir

Suzanne Cuthbertson

Would not do this again ! Should be called puffin and bad music tour . Not worth the money . Too many people so when a whale spotted in far off distance everybody rushes to that side or front and not everybody can see . My husband saw the fin and back of a whale again in distance ! I saw lots of puffins!

Candy Chung

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CANCELLATION POLICY: For cancellations we ask you to send us a notification as soon as possible, and not later than 24 hours before departure in order to receive a full refund. In case of cancellation on our behalf we notify you with as much notice as possible using the contact details provided in the booking process and naturally refund the tour price.

VALIDITY OF PRICES: All rates quoted are based on current purchasing prices in Iceland. Elding Whale Watching reserves the right to increase prices already quoted or published in our price lists without notice in the event of currency fluctuation, government taxes, or any other cost increases that are outside our control. Any eventual changes in rates will not be made with less then 4 weeks’ notice before scheduled departure.

CHILDREN: Discounts for children are subject to the nature of the services and our service partners terms.

TOUR DEPARTURE: All our tours start from Reykjavík’s old harbour. The departure time is indicated on your confirmation/voucher. It is the service buyer’s responsibility to arrive at our tour office in time to check in and to board the boat.

LIABILITY: Elding Whale Watching reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables, change or cancel tour dates should the necessity arise, including irregularities due to adverse weather. The tours are run in wild nature and we can never guarantee sightings on a particular tour. In the unlikely event that no whales or dolphins are spotted during the tour we do not refund the tour price but offer a complimentary whale watching tour valid for two years. The estimated duration of tours are standard times and can change according to sea conditions. All activities are undertaken entirely at clients own risk and they must behave in a fit and proper manner at all times in accordance with Elding Whale Watching guidelines and must take proper responsibility for their own safety. All tours and outdoor activities carry inherent risks and Elding Whale Watching does not assume any responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or can be traced to their own actions or are caused by factors outside of human control (Force majeure). Elding Whale watching, it’s managers and staff accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of passenger’s property on our boats. With the purchase of your trip you agree to these conditions, understand its implications and accept responsibility for your participation during your tour.